The Greater Houston Partnership and the Center for Houston’s Future (CHF) recently led a delegation of clean hydrogen sector leaders to Japan and South Korea. This mission aimed to advance collaboration and strengthen ties within the rapidly expanding global clean hydrogen ecosystem, marking a significant step in Houston's leadership in the energy transition.  During the visit, Brett Perlman, Managing Director of CHF, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the leader of the Japanese Hydrogen Association, setting the stage for strategic collaborations that will boost clean hydrogen production both in East Asia and along the U.S. Gulf Coast.  Key moments of the mission included the Japan – U.S. Gulf Coast Clean Hydrogen Roundtable, where Perlman and Partnership Vice President of International Investment and Trade John Cypher shared insights into Houston’s hydrogen leadership.  Delegation members had the opportunity to tour cutting-edge hydrogen facilities across Japan and South Korea, including Chiyoda’s Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) production plant, Hanwha Daesan’s green energy fuel cell facility, Hyundai HyNet’s steel hydrogen shipment center, the SK Hydrogen Liquefaction Plant, and Bloom Energy’s fuel cell production facility. The group also met with high-level government officials from Yokohama, Kawasaki City, and Tokyo to discuss future collaborations.  The delegation also participated in H2 Week 2024 in Seoul, Korea, one of the world’s premier hydrogen conferences, where they connected with South Korean government officials, energy leaders and industry innovators.   “Strategic partnerships with key international allies are amplified by these missions and crucial for unlocking the full potential of emerging industries like clean hydrogen. At a time where energy and energy security are paramount, these missions not only reinforce Houston’s position as the global energy capital but also foster prosperity in the region. Together, we’re forging innovative solutions the world urgently needs in today’s energy landscape,” said John Cypher, Partnership Vice President of International Investment and Trade.  Houston’s Gulf Coast region was recently designated as one of the nation’s seven hydrogen hubs by the U.S. Department of Energy and is poised to play a pivotal role in this emerging sector. The Gulf Coast already accounts for more than a third of U.S. hydrogen production and is equipped with over 1,000 miles of hydrogen pipelines spanning 48 production facilities. In addition, the HyVelocity Hydrogen Hub, led by a coalition of seven core industry partners with support from academic and other organizations like CHF, is set to receive up to $1.2 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  The growth of the clean hydrogen sector in the Houston region is expected to create up to 45,000 direct jobs, 35,000 construction jobs, and 10,000 permanent positions. International collaborations with partners like Japan and Korea, Houston’s fourth and seventh largest trading partners, will be essential for sustaining and accelerating this growth.  Learn more about Houston's hydrogen ecosystem.

In a significant nod to Houston's leadership in the energy transition, S&P Global has moved its annual Financing US Power Conference to Houston after 25 years in New York. The shift is more than just geographical. It is symbolic of Houston's role as a unique collaborative hub for traditional energy and scalable technologies for a low carbon future.   The three-day conference this week is set to attract over 200 attendees, including executives and decision makers from more than 100 companies. These leaders will explore the future of power generation and the essential role finance plays in advancing the energy transition.  “We moved the Financing US Power Conference to Houston to better reflect the city’s growing leadership in energy financing and innovation,” Brian Speight, content program manager at S&P Global, said. “Houston has seen a significant increase in capital flows toward both traditional and renewable energy projects. At the same time, we wanted to engage directly with the energy community here while maintaining strong ties with the financial institutions in New York, ensuring that we’re bridging the conversation between these two critical hubs for energy investment.”  Houston-based energy transition startups, businesses, and companies secured more than $3.88 billion in venture capital and private equity funding in the last five years, with corporate and strategic merger & acquisition investments driving the majority of these deals.  This ability to attract significant capital is further bolstered by Houston’s unique ecosystem. A powerful combination of Fortune 500 energy companies, alongside a thriving network of startups, accelerators, incubators, and world-class education institutions like Rice University and the University of Houston, make Houston a hotbed for energy innovation.  Building on this momentum, the Greater Houston Partnership has led efforts over the last six years to ensure the region remains at the forefront of the energy transition. The launch of the Houston Energy Transition Initative (HETI) has catapulted these efforts, leveraging Houston's industry leadership to accelerate global solutions for an energy-abundant, low-carbon future.  The Financing US Power Conference in Houston will play a pivotal role in advancing conversations that drive progress toward a more sustainable global future.  Learn more about Houston’s Energy Transition Initiative.